TASMANIAN Jarrod Garth intends to impress his Geelong superiors when the Cats take on the Devils in their VFL clash at North Hobart on Saturday.
Garth, 19, wants a shot at taking the place of injured Cat David Wojcinski on Geelong's senior list this year.
His best bargaining chip will be to let his talent do the talking against Tasmania.
"I'm on a rookie contract for one year so I've been trying to pick up as much as I can,'' the former Tassie Mariner said yesterday.
"Now that Wojcinski is gone for the season, there's a place for someone to go up to the senior list.
"It's my chance now to work hard and try to get into a position where they want me [to go up].''
Wojcinski ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Geelong's loss to West Coast in Perth on Saturday night. He will have knee surgery this week and will not play again until 2006.
Geelong had the bye in the opening round of the VFL.
The last time Garth played at North Hobart was in Clarence's premiership-winning team last September.
"I'm just looking forward to playing but, because we're playing the Devils, I'll cop a bit of stick from them -- that's to be expected,'' Garth said.
Fellow Tasmanian Cameron Thurley will also be in the Geelong line-up on Saturday.
Also likely to play is Geelong legend Gary Ablett's youngest son Nathan, a tall forward who the Cats feel could become an AFL star.
"He'll be a great player,'' Garth said.
"He's got strong hands, he's a good kick and he's smart.''
Garth, a West Coast supporter, was snapped up by Geelong in the AFL rookie draft over summer.
"I'm really enjoying being a full-time footballer,'' he said.
"The intensity of the training, the amount of time you can dedicate to training, the specialist coaching you get and also the facilities help to make you a better footballer.''
Garth felt out of place when he first arrived at Geelong, but now feels right at home.
"`Bomber' [Cat coach Mark Thompson] is great. He's open to all the younger players,'' Garth said.
"When I first got to the club, I felt a bit intimidated and overawed.
"He made us feel welcome and like we belong there.
"I've also had a fair bit to do with a lot of the senior players. I'm trying to pick up as many things as I can from them.''
The Devils are looking to open their 2005 account after losing to Springvale in Melbourne last weekend.
The Devils-Geelong clash starts at 2pm, and the Mariners play Bendigo in a TAC Cup match at 11.10am.
Last Modified on 07/04/2005 10:00